Residents of Russellville will go to the polls two more times this month, the first to decide among four candidates who will serve two seats on the Russellville City Council the next two years. The second vote will decide a property tax proposal.

Unofficial totals from the Pope County Clerk's Office revealed that 8,099 votes were cast in the Ward 1, Position 2 race between former mayor Phil Carruth, Mark Vaughn and Kenneth L. Henderson. Carruth (3,518, or 43 percent) and Henderson (2,384, or 30 percent) garnered the most votes to advance to the Nov. 23 runoff election. Vaughn received 2,197 votes, or 27 percent.

In the Ward 4, Position 1 election, voters gave the most votes to incumbent Paul T. Gray (3,293, 42 percent) and Randal Crouch (2,884, 37 percent), who will meet in the Nov. 23 runoff. Gerhard Langguth received 1,627 votes, or 21 percent of the 7,804 votes cast.

The candidates who received the most votes would have had to garner 50 percent plus one vote of the total votes cast in their respective elections. The Courier asked the four candidates involved in the Nov. 23 runoff on making one more election, and their overall experience, good or bad, from Tuesday night's results.

Phil Carruth

"Our country and our candidates are weary after this very long campaign season, but we are not quite finished here in Russellville," Carruth pointed out. "Incredibly, two more elections are scheduled this month, with the City Council runoffs on the 23rd and the proposed two-mill property tax increase on the ballot on the 30th.

"During the week beginning Nov. 15, voters can cast their ballots for both elections by voting early at the Pope County Courthouse. These are two very important issues, and I urge voters to finish the election process by participating in these two elections. The light turnout expected for these next two elections makes each vote especially important. This is your chance to have a strong voice in city government. I encourage everyone to participate in the last two elections."

Carruth went on to say he was grateful to the voters and to Vaughn, who has endorsed the former mayor and asked residents who voted for him to vote for Carruth on Nov. 23. The two worked together while Carruth was mayor of Russellville.

"I believe all departments included in the city's budget are overdue for careful examination," Carruth explained. "The operations and staffing of each department must be thoroughly reviewed and adjusted if necessary. The city simply cannot afford the spending patterns of the recent past.

"Russellville has overspent its reserves and must return to a rate of growth that does not exceed the revenue provided by existing taxes. The additional $75 million taxpayers will have paid by 2007 to improve water, sewer, streets and drainage within the city should be enough to ask of taxpayers. I can be a strong voice of reason for the next council."

Kenneth Henderson

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to continue my bid for alderman," Henderson said. "We knew a runoff was likely, and I'm just thrilled to still be a candidate in this race. I feel like my campaign was just beginning to gain momentum, and I am glad to have another three weeks to get my message to the people. I have really been overwhelmed at the support I have gotten throughout this race, and it has been very encouraging to me and my family.

"It was refreshing to see the enthusiasm and participation of young adults in both the national and local elections. Their involvement will affect their future, and it's great to see them supporting their candidates and making informed choices. During the next three weeks, I'd like to talk to as many voters as I can, so people know who I am and what I stand for. Now, I want the opportunity to put my background in business to use, serving the people of this town on the city council. I would like to encourage everyone to mark their calendars and remember to make an informed choice and vote on Nov. 23."

Paul Gray

"I want to thank all of those people who voted for me," Gray stated. "I would also like to thank everyone who worked on my campaign to this point. I am very pleased that the citizens of Russellville have put me in this position. A three-way political race is very difficult to win outright. I appreciate the confidence the voters have placed in me. But there is still a lot of work to be done.

"Campaigns are quite difficult to run. However, they are rewarding in that one meets a lot of great people and gets to hear a wide variety of opinions on the issues. I look forward to meeting people and reaching out to those who did not vote for me. I would invite anyone who would like to talk to me to call me or e-mail me (paul.gray@russellvillearkansas. org). I would truly like to hear from everyone whether you support me or oppose me.

"I have learned in my short foray into politics to not be surprised by anything," Gray added. "None of the results shocked me at all. The people have spoken on these particular issues of annexation and length of City Council terms. It is now the job of those on the council to move forward with the results we have."

Randal Crouch

"It's an interesting thing," Crouch explained. "We know not nearly as many (voters) come out for the runoff (elections), so it depends on how we can get our followers out the second time. I think the ones that are really interested in the issues will be voting this time.

"I felt I would make the runoff, but I just had no feel for what the numbers would be. I plan on doing the same thing the next three weeks - talking to people and explaining to them why I think I could handle the job better. I have nothing personal against Mr. Gray. I just have some ideas to make the city grow that I think are better because I am a retired businessman."

Crouch added that he has enjoyed the campaign process, and will continue to enjoy it until Nov. 23. "It's true," he added. "I've actually enjoyed going to dinners, breakfast events, meeting people and going door to door. I've learned what people want. My big thing is to listen to what everyone is saying to me. I believe that city government should be run by many people instead of a few people."